China: ICEM in the field

Rhodia is the only chemical group to sign a global corporate social responsibility agreement with the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM).

At the end of 2007, senior managers from Rhodia and ICEM went to China to meet employees. Undertaking this trip was important at a time when the new labor law in China called for increased trade union representation and dialogue with companies. A positive report on compliance with the global CSR agreement and the application of the Rhodia Way was drawn up and areas for improvement were identified.

At the beginning of 2008 Rhodia and ICEM renewed their agreement for another three years. Negotiations updated and stengthened the agreement. Additional commitments included the establishment of a common channel of communication for safety matters and integration of the agreement into the Rhodia Way.

Rhodia and ICEM renew global Social Responsibility agreement

Rhodia and the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) today announced the renewal of the Social Responsibility agreement signed in 2005. This renewal follows the favorable assessment of the agreement’s impact, jointly carried out by both partners in late 2007 in China.

This agreement is designed to drive continuous improvement, with such additional commitments as:

Integrating the agreement into the Rhodia Way*.

Getting ICEM involved in the tracking and annual review of Rhodia Way performance.

Creating a joint safety issues discussion group to track the Group’s global safety actions and performance.

Annually assessing the proper application of the agreement and the Rhodia Way in a country chosen jointly by Rhodia and ICEM. It has been decided by both partners that the next assessment will be carried out in Brazil.

Having the agreement’s application audited by an outside expert chosen jointly by Rhodia and ICEM.

The agreement is the only one of its type in the world that ICEM has signed with a chemicals company. Rhodia has reaffirmed its social responsibility commitments and expressed its determination to pursue an intense social dialogue and to be neutral in trade Union recognition.

* Rhodia Way is the Corporate Social Responsability approach of the Group which defines Rhodia’s social responsability commitments towards its stakeholders (customers, employees, the environment, investors, suppliers, communities).